Six Community Stations sign new Sound Broadcast Contracts

On Tuesday 23rd May The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland announced the signing of four community and community of interest sound broadcasting contracts. The services comprise a community radio service for North West Dublin, Phoenix FM; a community of interest service for the students of Limerick City, Wired FM; a community of interest service, for the students of Galway City, Flirt FM; and a community of interest service for the students of Cork City, UCC 98.3 FM.

Speaking at the contract signings, Chief Executive of the BAI, Michael O’Keeffe, said: “Community radio plays an important role in facilitating active citizenship and in promoting access and participation by members of a community in a radio service that is representative of their interests and needs. Community and community of interest radio services have been an integral part of the Irish media landscape for the past twenty years. Today’s contract signings mark the continued commitment of each of the contractors and of the BAI to community radio in Ireland. I would like to wish the services continued success over the term of their new licences.”

The BAI was represented at the contract signings by the Chairperson, Pauric Travers and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive. The signatories for each of the stations, together with the effective date for each contract, are as follows:

And on the 25th of May the BAI announced the signing of four contracts for sound broadcasting services. The services include the national, broad-format sound broadcasting service, Today FM; a regional music-driven youth service for the South West, Spin South West; a community radio service for Castlebar and its Environs, Community Radio Castlebar; and, a community radio service for North West Connemara, Connemara Community Radio.

Commenting on the contract signings, Professor Pauric Travers, Chairperson of the BAI, said: “We are very pleased to sign ten-year contracts with each of the four services today. These services play a valuable role in contributing to the diversity of services available to Irish audiences, a key theme for the BAI in the context of its regulatory role and its strategic intent. We wish each contractor continued success over the term of these contracts.”

The BAI was represented at the contract signings by the Chairperson, Professor Pauric Travers and Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive. The signatories for each of the stations, together with the effective date for each contract, are as follows: